Field Service Planner

Brief Description

The Field Service Planner is responsible for the detailed planning and coordination of all on-site service activities for ANDRITZ Schuler stamping presses and related equipment across the US market.

Drawing on extensive hands-on field experience, this role develops comprehensive task plans, tool lists, personnel schedules, and hour estimates for every job — ensuring that field teams arrive prepared, qualified, and fully equipped.

The Field Service Planner serves as the central planning hub between Field Service Engineers, customers, and internal departments, and plays a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality, and on-time service execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed task plans for all onsite service jobs (preventive maintenance, repairs, overhauls, new press commissioning) covering every work step, sequence, and safety requirement.

• Create comprehensive tool lists and equipment requirements for each job, coordinating the timely availability and logistics of special tooling, lifting equipment, and spare parts.

• Estimate and plan all personnel requirements: number of technicians, required skill levels, certifications, and specialist knowledge (mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, PLC) needed per job.

• Calculate detailed hour plans per job phase, task, and discipline — forming the basis for customer quotations, internal cost control, and invoicing.

• Assign the right Field Service Engineers to each job based on press type familiarity, technical skill, geographic availability, and customer relationship.

• Plan and schedule all service activities across the US market, managing competing priorities, lead times, and customer-driven timelines for all press brands and models serviced by ANDRITZ Schuler.

• Maintain and continuously improve standardized planning templates, checklists, and work instructions for all major press types (mechanical, hydraulic, servo, transfer, tandem lines, etc.).

• Interface directly with customers prior to job execution to clarify scope, site conditions, access requirements, safety procedures, and scheduling constraints.

• Coordinate with internal departments (Parts, Engineering, Logistics, Sales) to ensure all materials, drawings, and technical documentation are available before job mobilization.

• Support Field Service Engineers during job execution by providing remote planning guidance, clarifying task plans, and adjusting scope as field conditions require.

• Review completed service reports and job feedback to continuously improve planning accuracy, hour estimates, and tool requirements.

• Identify and escalate risks related to job safety, technical complexity, or customer exposure at the planning stage — before problems reach the field.

• Assist in the development of service proposals and quotes by providing accurate and competitive labor, tooling, and timeestimates.

• Maintain familiarity with all Schuler press models, legacy equipment, and third-party presses serviced in the US market.

• Ensure all planned activities comply with OSHA, customer site safety standards, and ANDRITZ internal quality and safety

requirements.

• Submit planning documentation and reports as required by the Field Service Manager in a timely and organized manner.

Job Specific Competencies

• Deep practical knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in large industrial stamping presses.

• Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, hydraulic schematics, pneumatic diagrams, and assembly documentation.

• Strong understanding of press types: mechanical, hydraulic, servo, transfer presses, tandem lines, coil lines, and associated automation.

• Experience planning multi-trade field jobs including resource loading, task sequencing, and critical path identification.

• Ability to produce accurate, detailed hour and cost estimates for complex field service scopes.

• Proficient in building tool and equipment lists for heavy industrial press service work.

• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple simultaneous job plans.

• Experience with ANDRITZ Schuler (or comparable OEM) service procedures and standards preferred.

Education and Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or equivalent field experience.

• Journeyman certification or equivalent trade credential preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on field service experience on large industrial stamping presses.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a planning, lead technician, or supervisory service role.

• Direct experience servicing multiple press brands and types across the US automotive and stamping market.

Other Valued Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional planning and organizational skills with a structured, detail-oriented mindset.

• Ability to produce clear, professional planning documentation for both internal and customer-facing use.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; German language skills are a plus.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel for hour/resource planning, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).

• Familiarity with ERP or service management software (SAP preferred).

• Strong analytical skills; able to break down complex scopes into logical, manageable work packages.

• Self-motivated, reliable, and capable of working independently under time pressure.

• Willingness to travel within the US as needed to conduct site assessments and support execution.

• Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record; valid passport preferred.

• Customer-focused with a professional and dependable presence.

miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
• German Language skills would be a plus.
• Visa holders/English as Second Language (ESL) individuals must take TOEFL exam and score above passing grade.